a scarf. that's what this family was tied up with, the three women. the other thing that's interesting is you can often see on the floor next to the bed marks. now, i'm not an expert, but you can tell from these marks, those are accelerate marks. people used gasoline, poured it on the beds and set them on fire. the two young girls died of smoke inhalation. >> "in session" on trutv. thanks for taking us through this. punching a hole through the heart. they're putting their stamp on the voters. they may be setting the stage for the 2012 presidential race. also, the trapped minors in chile are a small step closer to freedom. they're going to have the latest on the rescue operation and when the underground nightmare may finally be over. and u.s. senators, beware. lady gaga has your number.

but her star power may not be enough to guarantee the repeal of don't ask don't tell. wolf blitzer is off today. i'm suzanne malveaux. and you're in "the situation room." some are calling her the new poster for the tea party phenomenon. she appeared front and center at a traditional show case for hard core conservatives. she's making her first appearance here in washington since winning the gop senate nomination in delaware and upsetting the party establishment. she preached a new kind of gospel at the values voter summit. the tea party's anti-government mantra. we want you to take a listen. >> this is america. and the ruling class elites may try, but they will never have the last word on liberty. there's something about our national dna that insists on shouting at those who would be

our masters, you're not the boss of me. the small elite don't get us. they call us wacky, they call us wing nuts. we call us we, the people. >> i want to bring in our senior political analyst, gloria borger. you were watching this, you were listening to this, give us a sense of the response? how did the crowd respond to her message? >> she was clearly well receive received as you saw. and today's event not only just o'donnell, but all of the speakers were embracing the tea party themes that we've heard so much about the campaign season already. ant anti-big government, anti-health care. anti-any kind of bailout. but the thing that was interesting about what we just heard from o'donnell was this class warfare argument. the us versus them which we hear a lot from sarah palin.

>> sure. >> theouith anti-americanism o so class. not as if the cultural issues have disappeared. at the values summit, they're still there. a lot of talk of don't ask, don't tell. they've been supplanted at this point by the tea party themes of anti-big government and us versus the elites in washington. >> i'm curious as to how you think the republican contenders, potentially for 2012, are shaping their own message. i want you to take a listen to mitt romney and rick santorum and how they put it. >> what is occurring in america today is different than simply a shift in seats. it's not merely the result of disappointment and anger, even though there may well be reason for both. what's being felt in america today is much more profound than that, more solemn, more somber. americans believe washington is

threatening the very foundations of what has made america america. >> the size of scope of government is it directly related to the virtue of her people. go to the neighborhoods in america where there is a lack of virtue. what will you find? two things? you will find no families. no mothers and fathers together in marriage. and you will find government everywhere. >> it's interesting how he married the two -- values and small minimal government here. i mean that -- that's fascinating. >> family, small government, american values. >> what do you think is the challenge for the main republican contenders? >> i think just what you heard today, you've got to figure out a way to capture the enthusiasm of the tea party voters without the general election looking like they're the captors of the tea party. it will be difficult for someone to do. because the tea party demands

them to be i'd logically pure to a certain degree. when you run in a general election as a republican, you don't want to be barry goldwater. you want to be able to win. the person i think back to is ronald reagan. ronald reagan, he was able to capture christian conservatives when he was the most secular president we've known in our lifetime. and that was because he was -- he was optimistic and open and i think that kind of candidate would be able to do both. maybe mitt romney, rick santorum. sarah palin is the natural. >> the tea party existed at the time of ronald reagan, how he would do. how is the tea party position? is it the center of power? >> right now. >> for 2012? >> we don't know yet. right now it's clearly at the center of power. we see the midterm elections.

the tea party candidates, many of them are going to have to win. the key is, we're going to have to watch to see how the senators and the tea party activists behave during the next couple of years. people are going to be watching them and say, okay, you're not just an interesting new movement. for example, they're in charge with one house or the other, how are they going to govern? people judge you differently from when you're in charge to just when you're the opposition. the jury is out on that. >> it's fascinating to watch the republican party and the evolution of the republican party. thank you so much. >> still watching. >> thanks, gloria. on to the president's new consumer protector. he formally announced the appointment of harvard law professor, elizabeth warren. she is charged with creating a new agency that could affect millions of americans, all of us, by cracking down on abusive practices by credit card and mortgage lenders. i want to go to our white house

correspondent, my colleague dan lothian. it's official now. we expected this. it still looks like warren is a lightning rod. how will she do in this position? >> we'll have to wait and see how she will do she's controversial not only because of her past roles but how they brought her onboard. she will answer directly to the president and the treasury secretary. and she says that consumers will come soon. elizabeth warren is known as a consumer bulldog, a no nonsense style that makes some wall street titans tremble even before her appointment was formally announced, she fired off a blog that the time for hiding tricks and traps in fine print is over. >> from now on, consumers will have a powerful watchdog, a tough independent watchdog to stand up for their financial

interests. >> that's kind of to talk that makes the harvard law professor a darling to the people on the left but a threat to bankers. >> she tells it like it is. she calls them as she sees them. she's not looking for a financial payoff in the long run. >> it will target abuse by mortgage lenders, credit card companies, and businesses that offer student loans. some on wall street worry about more regulations that could threaten profits, a fear experts dismiss. >> she's not at all about adding more regulations, adding more pap paperwork to transactions. in fact, she's about how do we cut that back so people can understand what they're getting into before they sign something. >> president obama avoided a contentious confirmation battle by appointing her as a special advisor instead of director. white house spokesman robert gibbs said with endless nominations trapped in congress, going that route would have

meant more delays. >> what the president said is how do you get this agency start? >> the u.s. chamber of commerce lashed out in a statement, quote, the administration has circumvented one of the new techs on this maneuver is an affront to transparency and protection. officials say warren's role will last several months, not years and she will play a role in deciding who the director of the agency will be. but robert gibbs today in his briefing would not say whether she is on the short list to ultimately get that job. another. >> does she have the authority, t to set up an agency teeth. >> she was asked that question. and she said she was, quote, very confident she could set up an agency with teeth. why? she said she had been reassured with that during conversations she had with the president.

>> dan, thank you very much. >> everyone knows that americans are carrying a huge amount of credit card debt but owe more in student loans. in this country totals $850 billion compared to $828 billion in credit card debt. student aid websites report that student loan debt is rising at a rate of $2,853.88 per second. unbelievable. china may force u.s. car makers to disclose secrets. the backlash in the obama administration. our mary snow talks to a worker facing a tough choice -- retire early or watch her pension get cut. everything you need to stretch out on long trips. residence inn. ♪

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new fuel for tensions between thee united states and china, the world's fastest growing economic power house. "the wall street journal report"s that the beijing government may force foreign automakers to share their electric car technology. if they want to produce and sell their products in china. critics are accusing china of considering strong arm tact ins to build up its own electric car industry. the obama administration is frustrated with the trade and money policies. it was just yesterday that treasury secretary tim geithner gave china a new nudge to push the value of its currency.

senior analyst david gergen. nice to have you here in the situation room. the bottom line here is china has been devalue waiting the currency. can china get away with this? >> they have so far. we're going to see growing trade tensions between the u.s. and china and europe and china. this is important to understand, china is the most important partner -- most important bilateral relationship in the world. they have the two power houses now that have to learn how to get along. but there is growing frustration in washington and a growing danger of some sort of trade war with china because there's a sense -- and tim geithner testified to this, china promised to stop keeping the currency artificially low, allow it to rise. it's risen like precious 1% since they made that promise. we have the issue now on the cars that they're saying, yeah, you can come and have a report -- there's a report that,

yeah, you can come and sell cars in china but you have to give us the secrets on how you built the technology before you can get in. there's another report out there, suzanne, that just came out last week, in "the new york times" front page. and that was that in the renewable energy field, china is eating our lunch. we do a lot of solar panels here. china is building solar panels fairly well. they're building windmills fairly well -- and they're creating all sorts of subsidies that potentially are illegal, they look illegal. china has created a million jobs in renewable energy and we've got plants in massachusetts in renewable energy are closing down and opening plants in china. we're losing jobs to go here to go there.

>> i talked to governor granholm of michigan about that point. yes, they're praising the fact that they've got the jobs that are created. china is benefitting greatly as well. is this an affront to the obama administration that wants to go ahead and be the leader, the dominant leader when it comes to building the batteries for electric cars. >> it is sure -- it sure is, i think. the president recognized in renewable energy we've got to do more. he's trying to put more money to that. everybody has to play by the rules. it's extremely important that we not get to really huge fights with china. it shuts down trade, it hurts it economy. but it does mean that the chinese have got to be more responsive and we have to be careful not to let the rhetoric get too hot. these are the kinds of problems that we used to have with japan back in the '80s and it require add lot of subtle diplomacy, diplomacy on both sides, say on automobiles and issues out of

silicon valley. >> thank you so much for the insights. appreciate it. a lot of diplomatic dancing to do. now to the mounting economic fears here at home where some state workers are facing potential cuts to their pension plans amidst some ailing public systems. our mary snow is joining us to try to help us understand the situation that some folks are in here with their own pension plans that seem to be in danger. mary? >> this is a growing problem. pensions that are underfunded. could come in the not-too-distant future. new jersey became the latest example of the contentious battles over what to do about it. at 57, janice flynn was not expecting to be making trips to new jersey state pension office. but with new jersey's governor focusing on fixing the cash-strapped public pension system, she rushed to retire from her state job in of 30

years. >> you saw the changes coming down the pike. >> aye saw them, i have to preserve what i have now and then move on. you don't get 30 years back to regroup and replan a life. so, to me, the threat to my financial security was too big to gamble on. >> she retired so she won't be affected by proposed cuts to pension plans for public employees. chris christi wants to scale back benefits along with raising the retirement age. it sparked a political firestorm, but christi said, there's no choice. the pension fund is $46 billion in the red. >> there may be some republican employees right now who don't like me because i'm describing tough medicine. when the pension system gets well in a decade, i'm going to be the favorite governor. >> joshua rau at the kellogg school of management in northwestern said new jersey is the tip of the iceberg. he predicts the pension funds

will run out in nine years if nothing is done. 16 other states could be in line to follow by the year 2025. rau tells us he estimates there's a $3 trillion gap between what states have promised to pay and what they actually have on hand to pay ou out. . >> we're headed towards the crisis level if nothing is done. they had to properly reflect the cost of benefits, led to large increase of unfunded liabilities. >> cash-strapped states skipping payments at times, the stock market loss of 2008 exacerbated the situation. and rau predicts without states addressing their pension plans, taxpayers may ultimately pay the price. >> that's going to create a contentious situation where taxpayers in other states that may have been more fiscally responsible are going to be asked to contribute to help out these unfunded pension promises in states that have not really in truly reflected the value of

these promises. now, in the meantime, cuts to pensions are leading to legal battles, like one is under way in minnesota. retirees filed a lawsuit to fight legislation that slows increases to pension benefits. other states, suzanne, are closely watching it. >> we're all watching it closely. thank you very much, mary. appreciate it. we're monitoring some other top stories including word expected any time now from the fx fda. whether or not it will revoke the approval for a controversial breast cancer drug. and a dangerous milestone in the desperate effort to rescue miners trapped hundreds of feet underground. [ tires screech ] [ engine revving ] [ drums playing ] [ male announcer ] 306 horsepower.

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i want to go straight to fredricka whitfield to the cnn center in atlanta for news that's coming in. fred, what are you watching? >> hello, suzanne. hello, everyone. what looks as though we're about to see a big campaign season twist. republican sources tell cnn that

lisa murkowski of alaska is set to announce tonight she will run as a write-in candidate in november. in a major upset, murkowski lost last month's republican primary to joe miller who was backed by the tea party movement and former alaska governor, sarah palin. the 33 trapped chilean minors were one step closer to being rescued. officials say a bore hold reached them but it must be widened before they can fit through. if all goes well, the miners could be rescued in late october or early november. the workers have been trapped since the august 5 mine collapse. >> iranian president mahmoud ahmadinejad said it should free its holding after they released sarah shourd this week. although they don't have any expectations, it's something the u.s. should do naturally and morally. meanwhile, u.s. secretary of state clinton is calling on

teheran to release the other two hikers takingen at the same time more than a year ago. and a decision on a controversial breast cancer drug. the food and drug administration is deciding whether to revoke the approval for avastin for breast cancer. experts are questioning the effectiveness and side effects. it costs $8,000 a month. without fda approval, patients worry insurers will stop covering it for breast cancer, suzanne? stand by for the man who ousted the incumbent mayor of washington, d.c. and who struck a blow to president obama's education reform agenda. vince gray if he plans to shake up the city? and if he wins this fall. and why lady gaga is calling and tweeting senators and making a video to tell the world about it. they put a white check on the top of every box to let people know that their cereals have healthy whole grain, and they're the right choice...

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you're in "the situation room." happening now, an american scientist and his wife are being charged with trying to pass nuclear secrets to a major u.s. enemy. we're going to have the latest.

plus, her iq is said to be extremely low and she could become the first woman to be execute in virginia in nearly a century. we're going to have the details of this controversial case. wolf blitzer is off today, i'm suzanne malveaux. and you're "in the situation room." president obama's controversial education policy has suffered a blow right here in his own back yard. in tuesday's primary, democrats in washington ousted incumbent mayor adrian fenty in the wake of a series of controversial reforms. that's not the only issue that the city is struggling with. talked about that. more with the city council and the new democratic nominee, vince gray. thank you so much for being here in the situation room. first of all, congratulations on your win. obviously, you have a general election but in a predominantly

democratic city like washington it's very likely you'll be the next mayor. take a look at this city at what we're dealing with. unemployment, more than 10% in some areas. much, much higher than that. and hiv positive rate, the high nest the country. we've got poverty. what is your first priority in terms of what you need to do for this city. >> first of all, we have to get a team in place that will help us address these issues. at the top of my agenda, and i indicated this in the campaign, we'll be a focus on getting people back to work, as you indicated, we have epidemic levels of unemployment, 10.4% on the city. in the eastern end of the city, the two wards, the two districts on the's end, 19% and 30% respectively. >> young black men were much higher. >> much higher, right. >> in addition to that, i'm talking extensively about education. education reform. and i will continue to focus aggressively on education reform in the city.

>> what will you do, obviously, when it comes to education reform. that was a major issue with the opposition with mayor fenty as well as michelle re, the chancellor of the school system. she fired those that were not performing well, underperforming. will those teachers get their jobs back? what is going to happen in the state of education in washington, d.c. >> we had two groups of teachers who were asked to leave under different circumstances. the first group, they were dismissed allegedly because of a budget deficit. many of those teachers did have performance evaluations that indicated they had done well not just in the previous year to them being fired, but in years prior to that. those are the people who certainly should be considered. >> you want to re-hire those teachers? >> that i should be considered for return. that's what the budget law says. they should be considered. people who leave because of performance issues, if you don't perform well and you're given a

chance to improve, there has to be accountability. >> you agree those teachers should not be allowed back in the school system. >> if they did not perform well in the classroom, they should not be teaching. >> when michelle re, when you meet with her, should she have a position in her job? should she keep her job? oh. >> that's something she and i will talk about. we connected to voice mails it last couple of days. i think she's going to be away for a couple of days. i look forward to sitting down with her. what you have to remember is she and i have worked on education issues in the last 3 1/2 years. when the reform legislation came through the counsel which i was happy to support shepherd throu through. i've had education in the last 3 1/2 years, i know a great deal about it. i worked with michelle re. we'll have a constructive conversation. >> it was interesting to notice the election results. they were split among -- along

racial lines as well. a margin of 4 to 1, you won in the predominantly black districts whereas mayor fenty, 4 to 1, that margin won in predominantly white districts. what do you do to heal this city to bring this city together. >> first of all, you reach out. that's what i intend to do. one concrete thing i intend to do is have a town hall meeting in every one of our wards across the city. to some extent, to people who just don't know me well. and there are people who felt what they were getting is what they wanted. other people who didn't vote for the mayor voted for me, felt like they wanted a change. so my job right now is to -- to move to heal this city, to bring it together. four years ago when i ran for the chair of the council, i ran on the theme of one city. it couldn't be more relevant of one stage and we'll be making that to bring the city together. >> you were portray in the campaign, as a really kind of old school if you will. fenty made a case in point about your age difference, a mature

67. he's now 39 years old. he was the fresh face of washington and that he would do things differently, bring about change. how will you bring about change to this city. >> i think to continue to do the things i've done in the past. i've been a forward-thinking leader, i believe. i was the person who spearheaded universal prek in the city. i did the legislation in 2008. we probably will be the first if not one of the first if not the first in america to have a seat for every 3 and 4-year-old. i have a broad vision for public education from birth through 24. i plan to move forward to make that happen. so, i think if people go beyond the rhetoric and look at my record, they will see somebody who's been very contemporary in the things that i've done. >> the mayor has a good relationship. he and his wife, michelle, the other michelle with the obama family with a couple in the white house. do you have a relationship with the obamas? >> no, i've met the president on

a couple of occasions. i look forward to reaching out to him. there are things i hope he'll do for our city. >> has he done enough? >> there's more that needs to be done. i want to support budget autonomy so we can make decisions on how we spend our money doing the legislative autonomy so that the legislation pass bid our legislation locally. it becomes law. it's adopted. help us with voting rights. we have a lot of progress to be made. i'm a big supporter of barack obama. i want to see him step up and help us. this is a city in the election that voted for him to the tune of 93%. >> so we have -- >> he has more to do. >> more to do. >> has he called you, congratulated you? >> i have not heard from him, i heard from people in the administration. i would love to hear directly from the president. >> thank you for joining us. appreciate it good luck to you. >> delighted, thank you. not quite as out there as a costume made out of meat, but lady gaga is pushing boundaries

again, and pushing the buttons of the u.s. senate. and temore of the pope's historic visit to england.

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residence inn. even if you're not all that familiar with lady gag a's music, you probably have some passing knowledge of her outrageous costumes and performances. now, imagine lady gaga trying to influence members of a group that's rarely considered cutting edge, that's right, the united

states senate. this is a fun story. this is a crazy story. what is up with lady gaga and the senate >> it's a fun story about a controversial issue. lady gaga and controversy and shopping, they go hand in hand. like hollywood celebrities, lady gaga has been pushing for a long time for a repeal on the don't ask don't tell policy on gays. it's big for the senate. there's a vote on tuesday. activist groups have mobilized for a huge grassroots effort to lobby senators. she posted a lengthy video on her youtube page, not only to make her case but to show her followers how to get involved. she called her senators from new york -- or she tried to. >> hi, may i please be transferred to chuck schumer's office. >> mailbox belonging to senator schumer's office -- is full. good-bye. >> i have called both of the

senators that operate in my district. i will not stop calling until i reach them. our fight is a continuum of the ever-present equal rights movement. every day we fight to abolish laws that harbor hatred and discrimination against all people, laws that infringe on our civil liberties. >> she's serious about the issue. it's interesting to hear on youtube and the click, you know, from the senator's office. >> she got the antiquated capitol system. >> couldn't be more stark. do we know how that vote is going. >> democrats in the senate only have 59 now. they are literally one vote short of the 60 they need to break a republican phil bufilib. nothing is ever straightforward in the senate. the battle to start debate in the defense bill that authorizes the pentagon to repeal the don't ask don't tell policy. the republicans are going to

block this bill, they say, for several reasons or at least try because the democrats are holding this vote because they want to have political votes like this to appease key constituents, key constituencies, rather, suzanne, that really are mad at democrats for inaction. the gay community is one of them. >> what happen? how did she respond when she couldn't get in touch with her senators. have we seen another youtube video? where does this go from here? >> where do you think? twitter. senator jillen brand posted a tweet. she said, ladygaga thanks for calling. i couldn't agree more and i'll helping to lead the fight to repeal dadt. do you have moment to talk later today? and lady gaga tweeted back. she tweeted chuck schumer and senator gilenbrand. thanks for supporting me. let's get this passed.

talk monday? see if they talk. reality check, she's preaching to the choir. these are her senators from new york. she's trying to show people how to do this with their own senators but they already support them. >> i wonder if they'll pay attention to other folks, folks who don't have a following, not like the lady gaga, the fame, the outfits, that will be a good test as well. follow up. >> we'll see, thanks. >> fascinating. we'll have a check of some of the other top stories. what is behind this doctored photo of the egyptian president? >> plus new twists in what was a tense relationship between former president bill clinton and california gubernatorial candidate jerry brown. why it seems they're now letting by gones be bygones. ...pure... and also delicious. ♪ like nature valley. granola bars made with crunchy oats and pure honey. because natural is not only good,

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fredericka winfield is monitoring some of the top stories coming in "the situation room" right now. hi, what are you working on? >> sarah palin is serving up more reason she'll run for president in 2012, the governor of alaska and vice presidential nominee is the headliner. she's proving to be the biggest draw ever for the annual dinner

in the state that holds the first primary season contest. more than 1,000 tickets have been sold. and vice president joe biden went to his home state of delaware today to try to help democrats to hold on to the old senate seat. he appeared with democratic nominee chris coons who will face off against the republicans' nominee, christine o'donnell. some democrats and some republicans say o'donnell can't win in november. biden urged coons' supporters not to take anything for granted. if you needed anymore proof that bill clinton has made up with former presidential rival jerry brown, well, here it is. clinton will appear with the california gubernatorial candidate next month. temp tensions resurfaced when brown joked abcliout clinton's involvement in the monica lewinsky scandal. he later apologized.

>> they're putting that to rest. they're all chummy right now. wolf blitzer will be sitting down for a rare one-on-one interview at the clinton global initiative in new york next week. going see that interview right here on tuesday. former president bill clinton is offering president obama new advice -- you're going to want to hear what he has to say about it. and jon stewart and steven colbert are planning major rallies in washington. >> it is happening, people. you could switch for great gas mileage or seats that flip and fold with one hand. you could switch for up to 600 highway miles on a single tank of gas.

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sarah palin is in iowa today to it be a signal she is considering a presidential run in 201? well, joining us to talk about that and more in today's strategy session, two cnn's political contributors james carville and national talk radio show host bill bennett, and thank you for being in "the situation room" on this friday afternoon. real quick, sarah palin going off to headline this republican ronald reagan event this evening. she is endorsing a lot of tea party candidates and doing fairly well, but does this translate into potential success in iowa for a presidential bid? bill? >> it could. it is possible. main thing it does is to get some buzz going. she turns out a lot of people. a lot of people like her, and it

adds to the conservatives among a lot of republicans, so it is a good things but remember, we have to do this as we approach iowa. it is not a lock and not a lock in the republican party. george bush won it, and reagan got the nomination, and dole won it, and bush got the nomination, and huckaby won it, and mccain got the nomination. so it turns out that a lot of people turn out for the dinner and a lot of attention, that is good. >> james, for hillary clinton, she could bring in the crowds with the best of them all of the time, but ultimately, it didn't translate into getting those votes. what do you think that sarah palin needs the do to make that transition? >> well, also, obama can draw a fair country crowd in his day. look, there is no doubt that she is a potent force in the republican party, and she is going in and endorsing the candidates, and they are winning. and you know, i have always thought that she would probably have won, that would be good for the media and cnn and we will see. she is a dynamic force over

there, and obviously, she is the biggest draw in the history of that reagan day dinner which saying something about the power. she is the a powerful person. >> and bill, despite that she has got ten an awful lot of play, we have seen her with the tea party candidates all of the time, on television and at the rallies, but recently, we have seen the poll numbers and the approval numbers dip. is she doing herself a disservice here? >> well, i don't know if she is, but she is going around where she is invited and getting healthy fees where she goes, so she is doing what makes sense for her. >> is she hurting herself politically do you think? >> well, one of the ob sessions is with sarah palin is not the base, but the media. james hinted at the media, love to talk about her, and a lot of people love to criticize her and praise her and she is interesting figure and easy on the eyes and potent force on the party. so -- >> you have james laughing. >> well, i mean -- we can say it

is politically incorrect to say so, but it works, you know. >> it is. yeah, no, look, she has -- let me just say this, and i will say, she is a really attractive woman, but on top of that, she's dynamic and you never know what is going to happen with, and come on, she is compelling. i would not vote for her, because of that, but she is compelling as she can be. >> close to an endorsement here. this is close to an endorsement here. >> not endorsement. i want her to run. i don't think so, but, i think that again, just to watch her, she is the most -- she is very, very compelling. i mean, you can't -- you know. one of the things that makes her compelling, you never know what is going to come out of her mouth next. >> you are not no trouble here, james. you are on solid ground. >> and who do you want to see jack greene or sarah palin? >> and bill clinton gave advice entering the midterm elections, and saying, you need to get out

there and talk about your record, and what you have accomplished the last two years, and you are not getting ak dross the people. i want you to listen to what former president bill clinton said. >> i'd like to see the president going around the country and explain it just like i did, and say, we stopped digging, and then talk about what we have to do now. how are we going to get out of this. how are america's best days ahead? how are we going to reduce the role of government in the economy and have a private sector that works again. >> james, should president obama be listening to president clinton, you know, because he has something to learn from the 1994 huge loss to the democratic party or should he ignore him for that very reason? >> well, first of all, i think that any democrat who does not listen to president clinton would be not very smart and do so at their own peril. i would listen to him in a phone conversation, but that is, gee, him validating and saying, you need to talk about all of the good things that you did. you don't brag on yourself

enough. that is the way for somebody else to brag on you. it is not a trick, but it is a device to get something out there. and it is not a bad one and president clinton has been out campaigning for democrats around the country, but if i were president obama and i suspected he does, i would probably get his best advice on the telephone as opposed to cnn, but that is my ges. >> and bill, one of the things that president clinton does advise president obama to do is to focus on where the jobs are, the small businesses and open up ways to get the cash, the money and loosen it up from the bans or the other financial institutions, and is that where he needs to focus first? >> well, i also disagree with james, i understand why he didn't go back out in 1994 talking about the contract on america and so on, and that was not a successful strategy, but the president is right that the president obama should go out to

describe the role of the private sector and reducing the size of the government, but the problem is that president obama may choke on those words. bill clinton didn't, but barack obama might. >> and thank you both. have a good weekend. we have to leave it there. and was pope benedict in any danger at in england and the controversy surrounding it. this site has a should i try priceline instead? >> no it's a sale. nothing beats a sale! wrong move! you.

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terrorists is overshadowing pope benedict's controversial visit to the uk. investigators say that six men are in custody. we are joined from london with more. >> reporter: well, it is the second day of the pope's visit here, and as you can see behind me, suzanne, there is plenty of security and perhaps with good reason, because during the first event this morning at a catholic co school, the pope was notified about several terrorist arrests that were made. and he was counselled that several of the men who were arrested were working here as street cleaners and we understand from the police that the men were ages 26-50 but that is all of the details that we know. police have not confirmed whether or not these arrests were directly linked to the pope's visit here, but they did say that the arrests triggered a review of his security, and his itinerary, and in the end, however, police say they were satisfied with the security arrangements and his itinerary

went ahead as scheduled. the pope spokesperson did make a comment about the arrests earlier this morning, and this is what he said. >> we are totally confident in the work of the police of scotland yard and then we have no particular political participation, and the police have already said that the formation they have until now collected the most that there is no need to change anything about the program of the pope. >> reporter: as you can see, there are plenty of people here who have come to support the pope. more than 100,000 came out and when he arrived in scotland thursday, but the big day for the critics is saturday when thousands are expected to take to the streets in protest against the pope and there will be plenty of security. suzanne? >> than you, atika. you are in "the situation room." happening now, a breakthrough in chile and new hope for 33 miners trapped for more than 2,000 feet

underground for more than six weeks. we will tell you about the dramatic development that has rescuers saying that the end may finally be in sight. also, execution controversy in virginia. last-ditch efforts are being made now to halt the first execution of a woman in the state in mere nearly a century. we are standing by for a clemency decision from the governor's office that could come any minute. and you are called to quote freak out for freedom. john stew wrt and stephen colbert set up competing rallies to take political satire to a new level. welcome to all of the people in the united states and around the world. wolf blitzer is off today and i'm s i'm s i i i'm suzanne malveaux.

-- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com and in venezuela, a scientist said he promised caracas that he could build a bomb within the decade. our correspondent jeanne meserve is following the story for us. the couple worked at the las alamos laboratory. what do you know? >> well, the nuclear physicist here allegedly passed the nuclear secrets to someone he thought was a representative of the venezuelan government, but the contact was an undercover fbi agent. u.s. officials say that the government of hugo chavez had no involvement and had no information that venezuela has any plans to build a nuclear weapon. >> this indictment does not allege that the government of venezuela or anyone acting on its behalf sought or was passed any classified information.

nor does it charge any venezuelan government officials or anyone acting on their behalf with wrongdoing. >> but what a story. from 1979 until 1987, pedro leo nar di mas ka rowny, a naturalized citizen from argentina worked on nuclear weapons programs at the los alamos national lab, and his wife also indicted today worked as technical writer and editor there between 1991 and 2010. according to a 22-count indictment, mascaroni told the undercover agent that with his help venezuela could have a bomb in ten years to retaliate or prevent a u.s. investigation. and his program would produce an electropulse weapon to wipe out power in new york city, and lasers capable of blinding satellites and above-ground reactor the produce nuclear

energy and another secret underground reactor to produce and enrich uranium for weapons. the government al lenls in 2008 and 2009, he left material at a dead drop including a 132-page document purportedly detailing the weapons development program for venezuela. both of them were arrested today. if convicted they could face life in prison. >> do we know, jeanne, what the motivation was? >> well, in the indictment, pedro is quoted for saying that he is doing this for money, but he allegedly said that he and the department of energy were quote enemies, and at one point he is quoted to telling his wife that he is not an american anymore. and according to older court documents while he was working at los alamos, he got into a dispute with his supervisors over a laser fusion program, and he was also investigated for alleged security infractions. in 1987, the department of energy withdrew the security

clearance and a year later, he was dismissed. he sighed the university of california at the time who ran los alamos, and he lost that suit. that is the latest. >> well, obviously, the question is how much of a threat is this. joining me is cnn national security contributor fran townsend who is also an external board adviser to the ci, and the homeland security department. fran, thank you so much. what do you make of the case? >> well, suzanne, going back to the 1990s there was the wendel key case where he was alleged to give restricted data to china, but this data that the couple were trying to pass were the most secret and the most important secrets that we have in the nuclear program, so there is a tremendous effort since that wen lee ho case, to monitor those who have access through informants and try to identify the spies before they are able to pass the information, and it

sounds like what we know so far, the fbi took it seriously, and by the way, the electromagnetic pulse tract is one of the things greatest feared by the government, and you can imagine launching an attack and wipe out the electrical grid in urban area, and the sort of chaos that would cause. i think that this is the sort of thing, and it also sends a deterrent signal of others who think about misusing their access to this sort of information. >> fran, how difficult to prosecute these cases? >> well, if they have this taped, and if they have the documents marked restricted data on them, it should not be that hard. the tougher part is identifying those who have access and misuse it. >> thank you, fran. appreciate it. have a good weekend. to chile now where a major breakthrough is reported in the effort to rescue the 33 miners trapped underground for more than six weeks. now, just a few hours ago,

rescue workers reported that they had successfully drilled a bore hole to the miner's location some 2,000 feet below the surface. now, that hole will need to be widened before the miners can actually be brought up, but officials say that it could be ready by the end of next month. our cnn's karl penhaul is covering it for us, and he is joining us by phone, and you have been there since day one. this is encouraging news, and what are the miners doing and the familying do, and how are they reacting to this? >> well, certainly, the miners were reported to be jubilant, and they have been listening to the so-called plan-b drill getting closer to the area of the mine where they are trapped for the last two days. when it finally came through the roof of the workshop area, they were said to be jubilant, but of

course, that jub lens wilanc wa matched here above ground. two of the workers from the company came to talk to us, and they said it was exciting to get down, there and they said they were nervous, because they didn't know if anything would go wrong at the last moment, but they said it has been exhausting, because it is the pressure is on and working around the clock and slept about ten hours in the last three days. so a lot of mixed emotions here, but i think that also realism that this is in a sense the beginning of the end, but the end is still a long way off. because this hole now has to be widened from 12 inches diameter to 26-inch diameter, suzanne. >> and karl, a sense of whether or not most of the men are small enough to get through this hole, or does it have to be widened for most of them? we understood before that some of them would have to lose weight in order to be able to get up a hole that was going to

be dug down into the mine? >> yes. certainly, the hole has to be widened to the 26 or 28-inch diameter to withstand any chance of getting the miners out. that is a process that could take many more weeks. that is is a process that could take until the end of october and start of november. but by that stage, because the medics here on the surface are keeping a close eye on the men's diet, and each day, the men are measuring their own midriff, and their own bellies with the tape measure, then the medics know they are getting into shape to come out of that mine on the day when the rescue is feasible, and in talking to the mine's minister, he said he believed that all of the men would now be able to fit into the cage that is being designed, and the men will be strapped into the cage. they will have oxygen pumped into the cage, and the men may be blindfolded for trip up, because they are traveling from

half a mile underground in very claustrophobic conditions and the good news on the cage is that they now have a design for a new winch and pull the men to the surface once the time comes, and it can take 10 to 15 minutes, that compared to two hours only a couple of weeks ago, so obviously, the technological challenges are being overcome, suzanne. >> excellent, karl. appreciate the reporting. obviously, we wish them the very best. thank you, karl. the rising tea party movement is stirring up surprises at the polls. >> tea party candidates are beating in some cases republican candidates. >> and republican candidate are in some cases beating the tea party candidates, so what is your point? >> the republican base insists it is not worried about the tea party primary victories, but should it be? >> and plus, protecting consumers. president obama taps elizabeth warren to get a key agency off of the ground, but progressives warn that there is hell to pay

if she does not end up in charge. >> and jon stewart and stephen colbert have a message for you. >> take it down a notch! for america. i'm ahmed mady and i'm a homebuilder. my father brought me up to give back to society... felicia jackson promised her late sister

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after a string of upset primary victories the tea party is proving it is a force to be reckoned with, so will these freshly brewed tea party republicans energize the base or shorp enthe democrat's appeal to the moderates? our soledad o'brien is taking a look at a key new jersey race as part of the series "see how they run." >> reporter: these days anna little looks like any political candidate. >> how are you? >> reporter: all hugs and kisses and red, white, and blue. and she can belt out a descent version of "god bless america." ♪ god bless america >> reporter: but she is not what the gop had in mind for this year's midterm elections. ♪ my home sweet home >> reporter: are you a tea party candidate? >> i am a republican candidate and tea party approved.

>> like a stamp? >> it is a stamp. the tea party is not an organized party and they are a loose organization of americans and they refer to themselves as taxed enough already. so we have to take -- >> reporter: little used tea party support to beat a popular gop candidate that the party never thought it would need, but now the tea party republican is pushing the gop to the right on key issues. >> thank you very much. >> reporter: when someone from the tea party enters the race, it sort of shakes up the race. >> and brings problems. they not organized and they are suspicious of organization, and they are perhaps more right wing than the country as a whole on a number of issues, and that causes problems, too. are they making the party less electable. >> reporter: michael steele is the chairman of the national republican committee. tea party candidates are beating in some cases republican candidates. >> and republican candidates are also beating some tea party candidates, so what is the

point? >> reporter: my point is as president of the republican party, how concerned are you? >> i want a good republican nominee in 1november to defeat the democrats. >> reporter: can they? >> sure they can, and they will. >> reporter: the tea party candidates may create opportunities for the democrats. >> many of the policies they advocate are extreme parties. >> does that make you feel positive for the chances of beating them? >> any time the opponent is showing energy, you can't be complacent about it, but i will say that there are races that we are going to win in november that we would not have won because of the extreme nature of the candidates that the republicans are nominating. >> reporter: this jersey shore mayor believes that her conservative views will sell in ocean grove, a town founded by methodists. >> i do consider myself a right wing conservative. the health care law we have now is not a solution, but an extension of the problem.

>> reporter: abortion? >> life begins at the moment of conception. >> and taxes? >> it is the downfall of the economy. >> reporter: but those views may not appeal to the rest of the district which is 40% ethnic and racial minorities and voting overwhelmingly for obama. and she faces frank pallon sneshgs. >> i'm pro abortion. >> and taxes? >> i am an advocate for tax relief. >> reporter: and -- >> well, her views are outside of the mainstream. >> reporter: leon owens says that anna little's politics may represent the new middle ground. >> people are finding their right more so than their left, and right does not mean some extreme idea. it is because the current administration is so far left, you know, moderate just might be right.

>> reporter: congressman frank pallone says he does not know how tea party politics can win over black voters who express their candidates, and he says that political apathy is to blame for the folks having little interest in the party for his party to have a universal appeal. >> thank you, soledad. jon stewart and stephen colbert are announcing competing rallies at the national mall next month. our national correspondent kareen wynter is covering the story for us. kareen, this is amazing and taking political satire to a whole new level. ek plain what is going on here? >> well, that is right, suzanne. a whole new level. scoot over politician, because it is now tv personality, and that is right, tv personalities hosting their own marches on washington. >> god called us here to this place, at this time. >> reporter: we have seen the

million man march. the million mom march. >> i testify to you here and now, one man can change the world. >> reporter: glenn beck's rally to restore honor and now -- >> tonight, i announce the rally to restore sanity. >> reporter: on thursday night's "daily show" jon stewart announced plans for a political rally on the washington mall on october 30th. and while there were laughs, stewart was not exactly kidding. >> it is happening! a real gathering. [ applause ] we will gather. we will gather on the national mall in washington, d.c. 1 million moderate march where we take to the streets to send a message to our leaders, and our national media that says, we are here. we're only here though until 6:00, because we have a sitter. >> reporter: he called on

american moderates to gaer there and take it down a notch. his comedy central cohort stephen colbert quickly announced plans for a mock counterrally. >> my fellow americans, two score and four days from now on october 30th, 2010, i am calling for nation to join me on the washington mall for the march to keep fear alive. >> reporter: the stewart and colbert rallies are a satirical rally for elections in august. it is modeled after bill riley and glenn beck poked fun at stewart's moderate motto. >> ladies and gentlemen, it is on october 30th, on the mall. because now is not the time to take it down a notch. now is the time for all good men to freak out for freedom. >> reporter: stewart and colbert have said for years they don't have real political ambitions, but they have certainly got

political influence. the national park service confirms to cnn that a permit request for the rallies has already been filed. and a grass roots wave of support appears to be growing. a facebook page for colbert's mission to restore truththiness has 1,000 members, and they say that over $200,000 have been raised by supporters. so while the rallies are based in humor -- >> we will have signs down there for you, in case you cannot make your own. this one, i disagree with you, but i'm pretty sure you are not hitler. >> reporter: it appears that the joke not lost on the fans. that duo is too much. now regarding the upcoming rallies, they are far from over. a rep from comedy central tells cnn that you can expect more announcements with the event details and special guests and

speakers and all revealed in the coming weeks. >> so kareen, this is absolutely real and lit happen in the end of october? >> no joke. no joke. we will have to stay tuned for the big announcements coming up. >>ly i will be checking. thank you. and a check at the other top stories, we will see if the world's biggest airline will be flying high. and plus, she is loved by some consumer groups, but bankers may feel differently and elizabeth warren says she is out to protect you from the mortgage scams and credit card abuses, and now she has a new role in the obama administration. stay with us, you are in "the situation room."

fredricka whitfield is monitoring the other top stories coming into "the situation room" right now. hi, fred, what are you work on? >> well, hello, suzanne. it is officially the world's biggest airline. continental and american ar looirline s approved the merger. it is going to be known as united airline. it is a $3 billion all stock purr xlas and they can be the

best airline in the industry unquote. and the los angeles dodger manager joe torre will retire at the end of the season. he went to the dodgers from the new york yankees where he won 12 world series and don mattingly who is the dodgers' hitting coach will replace torre as manager. and scientists are confirming the sighting of a rare asian unicorn. it was captured by a team of villagers in lay yoes. it died shortly after they arrived. it is the first sighting of the specie in more than a decade. these unicorns have two horns and look like the african antelope. so, it is not really fantasy a afterall and it should not be called a unicorn if it has two horns, but i'm not a scientist, but just saying. >> well, it is confusing. >> unicorns exist.

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in just hours, the ruptured bp well will be plugged up for good. i am now joined by a professor of petroleum geoscience at the university of houston. we know that there is still an enormous amount of oil in the reservoir, but should it be and the into again? what do you think? >> i think that what they are going to do is to probably plug the well that they have drilled now, but eventually, they will drill into the well. and this final procedure will secure the well. the reservoir, although it is relatively large, if it is onshore, that far offshore, it is a relatively small field. so, economically, it may be difficult to produce. >> is it advisable or any possibility once this is sealed that something could go wrong and we could get another leak from this particular well reservoir? >> this well once they seal it will be very securely sealed.

what they have recently done is to put a lockdown sleeve on the top of the anulus which is sealing it from the top, and now they will seal it from the bottom. basically the well is very well sealed right now, but for the long term, they wanted to make sure that the anulus was sealed so they could not get a wlaek from there 10 or 15 years down the road. so now, when they get done with this, the well is safer than the rocks around the well. >> what do you think that we have learned from the catastrophe that we saw that developed from this oil leek? >> one of the biggest things that we learned is that the oil industry can handle these types of blowouts, but our response was a little bit slow. i know that some of the first attempts to contain the oil failed, but you have to realize that the industry doesn't get that many practice runs, and what they were trying the do in the beginning was anything that might work to try to kn taconta

that oil. and as they progresdz through time, they had more equipment on site, and more elaborate bits and pieces or parts to put on the wellhead to control the well, and things started to work better once they got the sealing cap on. >> you say it took a little bit longer than they hoped, and to a lot of people unacceptable the time it took and the amount of oil that leak and the environmental damage. if this happened again, what would be the ideal timetable to plug up that leak and to be successful here, not to have this kind of thing happen? >> well, i think that the key you just said it was to not let it happen in the first place and to make sure that not too many shortcuts are taken, and that all of the well control devices that we have are maintained and used properly. on the other hand, if something like this does happen again, a number of the companies have already committed to building a consortium to where they will have equipment that is

universally needed for kill operations or well control operations on the beach so that they can be deployed much more quickly than they were this time, and they could cut off a couple of months off of the time frame just having everything in place and ready if go. also, they learned a lot on how to contain these wells through the process, so they have learned quite a bit. >> it is time to lift the moratorium on deepwater drilling? >> personally, i think yes, it is time to lift the moratorium. i think that the, a lot of the companies have looked closely at all of their procedures to make sure they are doing everything properly, and following the guidelines that are there. i think that in a lot of cases, we have a lot of backdrops or secondary backups when we drill wells. a lot of of these things, we took shortcuts and cut corners on this bp well, and it was too many of them in a row, and that

is probably why this happened. so a lot of the companies are checking the b.o.p.s and making sure that everything that is there for safety is up to snuff and up to standard and ready to operate appropriately. donov donovan, thank you. and now elizabeth warren has been hand picked by president obama to get a new consumer agency off of the ground. what it means for you next. you try to lie low, get the lay of the land. but then autoblog.com calls your interior lexus quiet. and automobile magazine goes comparing you to a cadillac. ♪ so much for the new kid fitting in with the rest of the class. the all new chevrolet cruze. starting under $17,000. get used to more. ♪

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many americans are reeling from high credit card fees and spiraling mortgages, and now president obama has tapped harvard law professor and bank bailout overseer elizabeth warren to get a new consumer financial protection bureau up and running. for john king, the host of "john king usa" joins us now. you spoke with elizabeth warren to day, and obviously, the center of the firestorm, because her appointment or temporary appointment, but she is going to

try to get things done. >> she will try. we had a fascinating conversation. she said number one, she has had testy relationships with the former treasury director tim geithner, and many are worried that it takes her off of the table to make her the permanent director and i asked her is that a done deal and are you in temporarily, and she refused to answer. but she said that she is taking the job temporarily, but she did have a different option. >> what it means is that i am going the focus on getting this job done starting right now. we really have the option, and i should probably be candid about this. nomination was on the table as something under discussion, but what nomination meant is that we spend a year and a lot of energy fighting and number one, i don't get to talk. which, bothers me, but number two, i don't get to work.

and it delays that long getting started on this agent circumstances so instead, the law is clear on this point. it says the treasury has the power to get this agency up and running. you know, millions of american families are hemorrhaging money right now today and tomorrow and next week. on tricks and traps and predator products. we are going to fix that. that is what this agency is about and we won't wait a year to get started. >> reporter: why don't bankers like you? >> well, i don't know. i thought they did. no? >> reporter: no? >> no. all right. so, come on, i shouldn't be cute. there are bankers sure who don't like me, and some of othem haven't met me, and some of them have seen enough, but the reality is that it depends on where the problems are. there are some bankers who like me, and people who want to put out good simple products that

folks can understand and understand the price, understand what the risks are, and exercise their own personal responsibility about whether or not they want to do it, those are bankers, i think, that are going to welcome this consumer agency. because they are actually going to have a better shot in a competitive marketplace when they are not competing against bankers who figured out how the make their profits on tricking people and trapping them. >> she said she will get to work next week on tuesday with a meeting to talk about new mortgage disclosure rules to make the documents easier to understand, and suzanne, to answer some of the critics on capitol hill, hey, wait a minute the president by doing this, no confirmation hearing and where is the transparency and oversight, and she said she will be available to everybody and they can see what she is doing. >> what about chris dodd who questions whether she has legitimacy, because she has not been through the senate confirmation process? does that bother her or concern

her and does it help her to push through an agency with some teeth now? >> she realize nos doubt that the shadows on capitol hill will follow her. she has the tools necessary, and she says if you read the law ca carefully it will give the treasury department the power to create this agency. and she says, give us the director or nomination, or wait until next year after the election as far as away as june or july. and i asked her, what if the president moved quickly, and she said, well, i have to wait and see. that is what senator dodd is upset about, if the president de facto created this job. >> you asked her about the bankers who like her and don't like her, and wall street has been made the bad guy in this scenario, and does this work for the president politically in favor to have somebody go after those banks or, does this potentially set up a time when

he needs to call a truce with wall street? >> it could work both ways. a lot of the cynics say that the left was clamoring for elizabeth warren and the president needs to excite the liberal base, so a lot of the cynics say that. does the president want an aggressive watchdog, yes. does the president worry that there is a narrative that he is anti-business and that affects his relationship with the business community, yes. so you have in some ways competing goals. she will have a lot of scrutiny, and it will be interesting how outspoken she gets, and if she is way out there, if the administration tries to reign her in. >> thank you, john. the woman who is convicted of taking part in the murder of her husband and children, is set to die, but the two triggermen were set to life in prison. we will talk to you ant the controversy. he is trained for borat or

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fredricka whitfield is monitoring some of the other top stories coming into "the situation room" right now. hey, fred, what are you work on? >> hello, again. british police arrested six men on the suspicion of terrorism today, but they wouldn't say if this is connected to pope benedict xvith visit there. some reports say that the reports were threats to the pontiff, but they say they reviewed the secure plans of the pope's visit and they are satisfied, and the vatican says it is not particularly worried about the arrests. good news for workers laid

off by general motors. the company says it will invest $483 million and add nearly 500 jobs to the engine plant in spring hill, tennessee. the employees will be brought back from those who previously lost their jobs at gm. the company says that the investment and new jobs are pending talks with local and state officials. and natalie holloway's mother met with a man suspected in the disappearance of her daughter this week. she went to see joran van der sloot at the peruvian prison where he is being held for the murder of another woman. joran van der sloot said he understood, but he could not say anymore. he was arrested twice in connection with natalie holloway's disappearance in aruba, and he insists he is innocent and has never been charged. >> thank you, fred. a programming note. bill clinton will be in "the situation room" next week and tune in next week to see wolf

blitzer's wide-ranging interview with the former president. that is 5:00 p.m. eastern and 2:00 p.m. pacific. and in nearly a century, her attorneys are saying she should be spared from having her death penalty carried out tonight. and if a picture is doctored, what does it say about the newspaper that published it? everything you need to stretch out on long trips. residence inn. ♪ everything you need to stay balanced on long trips. residence inn. i but i justve my 5 employcan't afford it.ance, i have diabetes. i didn't miss a premium payment for 10 years.

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complications in 1991. a doctored photo is causing major embarrassment for a prominent egyptian newspaper and raising questions about a cozy relationship between the media and the government in that country. our senior international correspondent is here with the details. >> reporter: suzanne, this is the classic case of the new media running circles around the old. egypt's old newspaper has been caught with its proverbial hands down. it's the newspaper of note in egypt, published since 1875. and now the state-supported paper is at the center of a storm of scorn after it published this photo. egyptian president at the head of the pack of mideast peacemakers. it reads -- implying that the 82-year-old egyptian president

was the driving force behind renewed peace talks between israel and the palestinians. there is just one problem. the photo is a doctored version of this picture taken at the white house earlier this month. egyptian blogger discovered the digital dirty work. >> we felt it was going to be a ha-ha, local joke, look what they're doing kind of thing. i'm a bit surprised it's picking up. this is the work we know, this is the regime we know. there's no surprise there. >> friday the paper's editor wrote that the picture was meant to be expressive, underscoring egypt's historic role in the peace process. if a picture is worth a thousand words, what this picture says is not very flattering snow they wouldn't care about professionalism. they're not accountable to the general public, and the same goes for the public, if i may

say sew. >> it's inspired other egyptians to try their hand at photo shop with their own take on their long ruling, strong men. >> for years egyptian newspapers, especially the state-run ones played an old game. it's called "praise the leader." it looks like the game doesn't work so well anymore. suzanne? >> thank you, ben. possible speaks to his new point person on crafting a new approach from protecting consumers from abusive practices from credit card and mortgage lenders. that interview with elizabeth ward is just ahead on ""john king, usa"". we're awaiting word on a clemency request for a woman on death row. that story just up ahead after this quick break. when our clients' needs changed we changed to meet them. through the years, when some lost their way, we led the way with new ideas

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ja we we ear waiting word for a woman on death row. it would be the first time in decades that a woman has been executed in the state. our brian todd is looking into this story. brian, this is a very controversy case. tell us what you're learning. >> we're learning a lot of details. still awaiting word from the governor. told all day it's coming. haven't gotten that word yet. the first woman scheduled to be put to death in west virginia since 1912. from virginia's death row she

sings for divine intervention. ♪ i need a miracle >> reporter: no miracles next. she's waiting to hear from the governor on a possible stay of execution. if he doesn't intervene she will die next thursday. >> because of the sensitivity at this point the questions are limited to just a couple of predetermined questions for theresa lewis. we're also not allowed to bring cameras into the facility where she's being held. sew we're speaking to her on the phone through her unit on death row in virginia. if you could say anything, what would you say to the governor? >> if i could talk to the governor, i would tell him how sorry i am, to the people i love very much, and i wish i could take it back. i'm sorry for all the people i hurt in the process.

>> reporter: lewis plead guilty to h the two murders of her husband and her stepson at their mobile home in west virginia. this was a crime of conspiracy. she didn't fire the shots. two men did. they only got life sentences. the judge called teresa lewis the head of thisser is pant, but her attorney says her iq is in the low 70s, near the level of retardation and she e has dependent personality disorder making her vulnerable to coercion by others. >> it was stated and the experts that have examined her agree that she was being used by shallenberger, not the other way around. >> reporter: he had an affair with her. he said the only reason he slept with lewis is so she would give me the insurance money she inherited after the murders.

he later committed suicide in prison. on the idea that lewis was manipulated the prosecutor said this. >> i can frankly say teresa lewis is as evil a person i have ever met. >> reporter: they say she connived, manipulated everyone to her late husband, her children, everyone. and tested he cited contradicted those which say she's near retardation. >> her functioning capability is way beyond that. >> reporter: are you saying she's faking? >> as someone said she certainly wasn't motivated to score accurately and high on those tests. >> lewis's attorney says the contention that she's faking a low i.q. is silly. one expert tested to see if she was faking and she wasn't. we're still waiting to hear from the governor. >> thank you. you can follow what's going on